A Fufitive Becomes King Series

A Fugitive Becomes King

Thesis: The only way a fugitive can become king is to have the qualities of patience and humility. These two character traits will always propel a fugitive into a leader for the Lord.

Texts: II Samuel 1-5:5

Key verses:

II Samuel 2:1 “ In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord . ‘shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?’ He asked. The Lord said, “Go up.”

II Samuel 2:4 “ Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there anointed David king over the house of Judah.”

II Samuel 3:1 “ The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.”

II Samuel 4:7-12 – scene where David orders the execution of Recab and his brother for murdering King Ish-Bosheth of Israel.

II Samuel 5:1-5

1. All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood.

2. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, `You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’"

3. When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.

4. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.

5. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

Introduction: Why would a fugitive become a King? Because he had the character! David modeled in his life the character traits of the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-26:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

David’s life reveals that he had these attributes in motion.

i. He was faithful to God.

1. In the quiet fields

2. In the midst of battle

3. In the days of being a fugitive

4. In the days of being king

ii. He had peace in the midst of fighting Goliath he was not an emotional wreck. While being chased as a fugitive by King Saul he demonstrated a heart at peace.

1. Because of his faith and trust in God he had peace-a few times he panicked but when he refocused on God he calmed down.

iii. He had integrity. And it was demonstrated through his acts of gentleness, kindness, goodness and self-control.

1. The way he dealt with his men.

2. The way he kept his word

3. The way he dealt with Saul

4. The way he stayed true to his beliefs in God

iv. He had patience

1. David knew how to wait on the Lord!

2. We will talk about this more later.

v. He had humility

1. I believe David could see that pride destroyed King Saul and therefore he would never let pride take root in his life.

2. He constantly gave himself reality checks-We will explore this later.

vi. He had a love for God

1. Psalms is full of David’s love songs to the Lord.

2. His worship was driven out of his love for the Lord.

3. He genuinely loved everything about the Lord even his correction.

vii. He had the joy of the Lord and was not ashamed of it

1. He danced before the Lord –out of pure joy!

2. He was not ashamed of his joy for the Lord even though others where.

3. His love for God drove Him into the arms of Joy!

All these qualities set a fugitive on the path to becoming king but I would like us to look at the two very important character traits he had.

I. The main reason this fugitive became king was he had the patience to wait on the Lord’s timing.

a. Scripture tells us that patience is a virtue – and Galatians tells us it is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

i. Ephesians 4:1,2: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

1. Notice the challenge here by Paul-“Live a life worthy of the calling.” – David lived the life worthy of the calling-the anointing he received from the Lord- We should as Paul addressed be “completely humble-and-patient.”